Conroy denies NBN cost-benefit need

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has denied the need for further cost-benefit analysis to be carried out on the $43 billion National Broadband Network project, according to his opposite Nick Minchin.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has denied the need for further cost-benefit analysis to be carried out on the $43 billion National Broadband Network project, according to his opposite Nick Minchin.

the government refuses to subject it to a proper cost-benefit analysis

Spokesperson for Nick Minchin

"We don't need any more studies, any more cost-benefit analysis to know this is an infrastructure investment Australia is calling out for," Conroy said in parliament today, according to Shadow Communications Minister Minchin.

Minchin said Conroy dodged his question during parliamentary question time over whether the NBN had been subjected to such an analysis.

"This proposal will put at risk billions of dollars of taxpayers' money ... yet the government refuses to subject it to a proper cost-benefit analysis," said Minchin. Conroy deferred to several studies that had been conducted, according to Minchin.

Minchin also questioned the $43 billion figure, asking whether it had been plucked out of the air to which Conroy replied that it was the result of extensive calculation, involving Treasury, Finance, his department and consultants.

Minchin has opposed the $43 billion NBN plan from the outset, last month casting doubt over the government's claim that Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry had advised it to go ahead with the plan.